BrunDog 50A eRig - no HLT for me!

[RocketBrewer]

I intended to just check out a few minutes of your video, ended up watching the whole thing! Just mesmerized by that system, AMAZING BUILD!

 

[BrunDog]

Thanks guys. The big question is... What's my next upgrade? I will be doing the built in RasberryPi / touchscreen but then what?

 

[RocketBrewer]

I don't know... Make some beer?

 

[cod3ck]

That setup is awesome!

I dunno, you could fancy up the UI on the iPad controller if you're into that kind of thing (and it's even possible)?

 

[Tularac]

Very well thought out and well documented.

Thank you for sharing.

 

[Rondacker]

I just watched the brew day demo video, and just read this thread for a second time. That's one outstanding system! You thought of everything, and executed it with fantastic craftsmanship! Kudos!
And, no, your voice didn't put me to sleep!

 

[iijakii]

Thanks guys. The big question is... What's my next upgrade? I will be doing the built in RasberryPi / touchscreen but then what?

In a few month's you'll find something to be unhappy about, sell and rebuild.

 

[JonW]

In a few month's you'll find something to be unhappy about, sell and rebuild.

LOL, that's what I did!

 

[iijakii]

Yeah I've done it twice, lol.

 

[ChocolateMaltyBalls]

It's all about the journey...

 

[Rondacker]

In a few month's you'll find something to be unhappy about, sell and rebuild.

Got me thinking about BCS.

 

[BrunDog]

Funny, but true. Right now I am content but definitely have visions of 2.0.

I wish I could brew more to really learn and figure out exactly what changes I would like to make iteratively or for round 2... problem is my friends are all bud/miller/coors light junkies and I can't drink it fast enough. I have 5 beers on tap right now and in a week will be the better part of >15 gallons. Need to hand out growlers!

 

[cod3ck]

Funny, but true. Right now I am content but definitely have visions of 2.0.

I wish I could brew more to really learn and figure out exactly what changes I would like to make iteratively or for round 2... problem is my friends are all bud/miller/coors light junkies and I can't drink it fast enough. I have 5 beers on tap right now and in a week will be the better part of >15 gallons. Need to hand out growlers!

BrunDog -- sounds like your area needs a microbrewery! ...and we know just the guy to start it! [emoji6]

 

[BrunDog]

Ahhhhh, yeah. No. But thanks!

 

[DarkStormBrewing]

Disregard the post with the soldered fittings in the CFC. Failed at first use. I'll try and take down post asap.

 

[applescrap]

Version 2.0.....? Im going to get some popcorn!

 

[Stillraining]

View attachment 313693

-BD

And to think I joined this forum to learn about beer.. Mind boggling stuff right here. Beautiful work...whens the shuttle launch?

 

[BrunDog]

Thanks! I joined this forum to learn about beer too. I had the engineering part... But have a long way to go on beer science!

 

[jcav]

I joined to learn about making better beer too. After reading yours and many other quality threads here, I am now ready to take the engineering test!
Jam packed quality info here, quality info!

John

 

[JonW]

OK, Brundog, you've been bugging me to post my new rig, so here it is: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=572641

 

[BrunDog]

About time! YES! I was worried there would be nothing new tonight!! Let me get a bag of popcorn and get into it!!

 

[pretzelb]

The video really helped bring it all together. I'm very interested to see what your solution is for the BK filter to replace the bazooka tube.

 

[BrunDog]

Thanks. I have a plan for my next beer: the half coupling I mentioned, then a mini hop-stopper kind of gig, which will be vertically inserted and held down by its weight. The mesh I have had larger pores than the bazooka to let small material through. But if/when it clogs up, I can just pull it out. Will post up pics when done.

 

[BrunDog]

A little side project: motorizing my mill.

I have a Cereal Killer mill from AiH. I think it is basically the same as the Barley Crusher. Not a high end mill by any stretch but gets the job done well enough for homebrewing purposes. I had been jealous of some of the amazing motorized mills that have been built and shown off on this forum, but also realized I didn't need something that elaborate. I mean, some are legitimate works of art! I don't have the space or need for a dedicated standing mill, so wanted to keep mine portable, grinding on a bucket as I have been doing but powering via electric drill.

I found this motor on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LTM3AT6/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

It is a basic 12VDC, worm drive, right angle motor/gearbox. It has a 10mm shaft with flats and an M6 threaded end. I took my Dremel and cut off the threaded end.
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1456103241.152654.jpg

The mill comes mounted on a plywood plank with dowel pins to rest inside a bucket. It is biased to one side so that the shaft hangs over the side, allowing for a hand crank or a drill to be connected. I rotated the mill so the shaft extended over the long side of the plank.
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1456103358.631219.jpg
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1456103375.849990.jpg

Then I fab'd up a quick L bracket out of some spare steel sheet. I don't have a shop, just banged this out in the garage with some 2x4's and a hand drill.
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1456103456.027340.jpg

Using a 10mm straight coupling from McMaster Carr, I mounted it together.
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1456103641.304666.jpg

Powering up with an old laptop brick power supply I had. Now this motor generates >100 in-lbs of torque which should be enough, but only cranks at 50rpm. While that won't do LHBS duty, that's plenty fast enough for my needs. Here is a quick video:

https://youtu.be/9BX0ZhX8eJY

Looking forward to putting it to use next brew day!

Edit: I did, and it took just under 6 minutes to mill 8lbs of grain. Works for me!

 

[jcav]

Very slick, your motivating me to do mine now!

John

 

[JonW]

Nice job! That's a perfect mounting bracket!

 

[applescrap]

I love the work you do.

 

[jddevinn]

Not gonna lie... It makes life much easier! I do have a slight problem where water somehow leaks past the lids. Clamping them down helps but I think repositioning the heads lower will help. Baby steps like everything else....

Have you resolved this? I use the same CIP nozzle for cleaning kegs and my conicals. A couple months ago I tried a CIP cycle for the kettles using my March pumps but could not get past the leaking past the lids. I tried taking some silicone tubing cutting it in half and using as a "gasket"... it helped but not enough.

 

[BrunDog]

Not yet. I have been thinking about it and I am not exactly sure what is going on. The lid extends down, so it would seem that any water coming in at an angle should be blocked from getting out.

What I *think* is happening is the lid is getting wet and water is holding to the interface between the lid and edge of the kettle via adhesion. Any internal pressure rise (heating water, etc.) causes that water to push out. Alternatively, or in combination, the PBW causes that water to have less surface tension, allowing some of it to slip passed. I dunno - but it is a major issue because I can't stand there plugging up leaks for two hours while the cycles run!

The gasket idea is good. Just need to figure out the right stuff.

 

[The_Bishop]

Have you tried your grain mill motor yet? You have peaked my interest!